Customer Reviews

The Trachtenberg Speed System of Basic Mathematics

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

some readers have commented that the method does not work with multiplication by 5. I am using the 1960 version and have found that the method does hold even for examples that I produce not from the book. I suggest you examine the algorithm more carefully.

In response to the 1 star review that claims this is not worthwhile for teaching mathematics and that reliance on calculators etc. is best while focusing on applied concepts is a good one, however, an overreliance on computational tools hinders mathematical thought since a student does not have a natural sense and intuition of the number system.

Furthermore, when numbers are simple to manipulate, the mental energy for such thought is reduced and enables a student to focus more time on the problem at hand without the interruption of using a calculator for input and computation.

I do agree with the businessman's comment that this is only a tool for teaching the operations involved with basic arithmetic and that it does not help with teaching word problems and cognitive skills. But, for anyone interested, this book will
aid them with proficiency in mathematical computation and hopefully give them tools that can help them tackle more challenging problems in mathematics.

Certainly, this system is far superior to conventional ones currently taught at the grade school level.

I have read a lot of books on speed mathematics, and without exception, they are all useless except this one. The method described here is easy. But most importantly, it scales up to larger numbers without additional complexity. This scaling up is what differentiates this method from the others.

The key to learning this method is skip the first chapter. Don't waste time in learning how to multiply by 8. Rather, start with the second chapter, the "direct method" for multiplication.

You will surprise your friends and family when they see you multiplying numbers in your head.

The below review goes for any edition of the book; be it paperback, hardback, new, old, in any language whatsoever.
I, however, first studied the books' danish paperback edition, published 1950'ish ::
Starting out; you really only need to know how to count one-tru-eleven.
The book sets out by presenting to you an entirely new way to 'think' multiplication: You'll learn to 'read' each individual cipher - stop memorizing of multiplication tables - . Completely mastered in about one lazy afternoon.
Soon, you will be reading and handling numbers as well as ciphers in much the same way you now read books. It's such a joy - both rewarding and addictive - ; provided only your undivided attention and wholeheartedly commitment !
Your memory will work and expand quickly; you'll find yourself dividing, multiplying and adding just for the fun of it - without any support of tools like pen & paper etc., even for billions*billions or division into like a zillion decimals !
In about one month I worked through this book cover-to-cover, read every single page of every chapter, did every single exercise over.
*** This SYSTEM is guaranteed to WORK - anyone can learn it ***
Even for someone who is not intimidated by numbers: this is the only book, you'll ever need to become the wizard of every-day-basic maths.
Do not for any reason skip any chapter or pages or the entire philosophy WILL elude you !
With pen [indeed: PEN] and paper work your way attentively and meticously through every single exercise - especially the obvious ones !
PLEASE; Stay patient with each of the examples and repeat them over until you're completely mastering its unique technique.
About half-way through this book you'll probably find calculators much too slow AND in-accurate [too few digits displayed]; You'll always vision the complete solution in your head long before you've finished punching the calculator's keypad.
The division chapters seemed the most difficult ones to me [two entirely independent and very different systems]. One is fool-proof, one is tounge-in-cheek.; you'll need to work through both of them. The latter division system is by far the most difficult part of the entire book - PLEASE brace yourself to put the extra effort into mastering it - and then SELL your CALCULATORs !
Your conception and memory skills as well as self-confidence will be instantly and permanently boosted.
Excellent self-study guide for children, too !
It's indeed the very best self-study basic-maths teacher for anyone who shyes away from basic accounting - or just wants a-trick-or-two to improve their calculating-speed.

I have been using this book for five days and it has significantly improved my basic maths and the speed at which I can make calculations. Initially one has to remember when to apply the correct rule given the numbers you are trying to calculate, but after some practice this becomes second nature.

The important thing about this book it that once you have learned the techniques, you can apply them to real world situations where you need to, for example, work out the area of a square (e.g. 48cm x 62cm) or where powers or logs have to be used.

What I've found the most useful is not purely improving the speed of calculating random numbers together, but realising how I can use these speed methods and weave them in to other unrelated calculations and dramatically speed up mental calculation. I think that's the key to promoting this method to anyone. Don't just look at it as a number crunching method (it's great for this if that's all you're concerned with), it's brilliant for applying to other maths problems.

This book is money well spent.

I was introduced to the Trachtenberg method in the 3rd and 4th grade by my mother, through home study. I was an absolute mess in arithmetic and higher level math. The system gave me the encouragement, confidence and skills to go on - and go on I did, through 8 quarters of calculus for my degree in economics and beyond. This is absolutely the best foundation for any mom and dad that want to help their children with numbers, but are unsure of themselves or their skill. Techniques can be picked up so fast it's unbelievable. Highly recommend; I intend, as an older father with two year old girl twins, to use this book intensively, but not in the immediate future of course. I'd be interested in hearing from other readers on this, and I can be reached at bob_hanks@msn.com.

A high school math teacher introduced me to this book 'way back in the sixties, and I have had a copy on my shelf ever since. One of the great advantages to being able to do arithmetic really fast in your head is that you can keep up with the scanner at the grocery store. Also good if you want to blow your kids away with speed and accuracy. The end of the book, "Algebraic Description of the Method" the icing on the cake for me; I just love the analysis of how arithmetic processes work. The story of Trachtenberg at the beginning was quite touching, too, and I greatly admire the man and his work. All in all, this book was quite influential for a flower child back then, and has continued so into middle age. Books like this one go beyond mere math and can actually shape the way you think.

This method of mathematics was introduced to me as a freshman in high school. My teacher, who was proficient at it, used to race me multiplying multi-digit numbers together. He had the chalkboard and his brain and I had my calculator. He won regularly! We will be using it to home school our children, skipping the drudgery of memorizing the multiplication tables. If you or your children struggle with multiplication and division, this book is a must. It also has another method for addition and other aspects of math as well. Very highly recommended.

I've used the system for years, since my father got me a copy from the Popular Science book club back in the 60's. You may recall that was the era of the "New Math".

Unlike what some other reviewers have said, calculation is NOT the least important aspect of mathematics. Mental arithmetic gives you a feel for the numbers, a familiarity with them. As a former math teacher myself, I wish I had a nickel for every kid who said "Well, that's what the calculator said" but had no idea whether the "answer" is reasonable.

Trachtenberg's system helps you to make the numbers your own and to make them serve you. While it's a shame about the current price, it's still a bargain if it helps you or your child.

I was given this book when I was a freshman in High School. I must say it really opened my eyes to the FUN you can have with math. NO, I was not a bookworm, or the teachers pet. This book made math so easy and fast, that I amazed many of my teachers with the skill it gave me. I was able to perfrom in seconds what it took my teachers many times longer to accomplish. Over the years, I have wished I still had the hardbound copy to refer to and to use in helping my daughter get the GRIP on math that all school aged children should have. I would like to see it used as a tool for learning in our schools. Of all the books I have come across, this one is a particular favorite of mine. I am going to have to order a copy for my daughter who is in college now, but has heard me talk about this book for years.I still find myself working problems with the methods this book taught me.

This book makes numbers and playing with numbers fun. Most importantly, you get a very firm underlying knowledge of how numbers relate and work together. It's MUCH more useful than simply memorizing tables. And way more fun, of course. For children (and adults) who are either bored or too challenged by memorization, Trachtenberg's methods make the whole thing a delightful and exciting process. I demonstrated some multiplication to my niece and nephew, both high achievers in school... they were blown away with it... their parents ran off to buy the book.